Yoko Ono Tells Her Side of 'Lennon Lawsuit' Story

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Yoko Ono Tells Her Side of 'Lennon Lawsuit' Story

The artist known as Lennon (a.k.a. Lennon Murphy) raised quite a stir earlier this week with her claim that Yoko Ono reneged on a tacit agreement to allow Murphy to record and perform using the name. Yoko Ono, or more likely, her attorney, issued a statement that clarifies things a bit.

First of all, there is no lawsuit, as Murphy had claimed there was. Ono says she merely notified the Trademark Office that she "didnot believe it was fair" that Lennon Murphy have exclusive rights to the name.

In other words, Lennon Murphy can use the name "Lennon," but so can other people.

Here's the full statement:

BY YOKOONOLENNON AT 02/14/08 04:55 PM

Dear Friends

A musician named Lennon Murphy is claiming that Yoko Ono has sued herand that Yoko is seeking to stop Lennon Murphy from performing underher name, Lennon Murphy. Both of these claims are untrue.

Several years ago, Lennon Murphy sought Yoko's permission to do herperformances under her name, Lennon Murphy. Yoko, of course, did notobject to her request. Subsequently, without Yoko's knowledge, LennonMurphy filed an application in the United States trademark Officerequesting the exclusive right to utilize the name "Lennon" for musicalperformances. Yoko's attorneys asked Lennon Murphy's attorneys andmanager to withdraw her registration of exclusivity to the name LENNONfor the trademark. Yoko also offered to cover all costs Lennon Murphyhad incurred in filing for the trademark. But Lennon Murphy went aheadto register.

Yoko did not sue Lennon Murphy, but sought to stop her from getting theexclusive right to the name Lennon for performance purposes. For that,Yoko's attorneys, simply notified the Trademark office that Yoko didnot believe it was fair that Ms. Murphy be granted the exclusive rightto the "Lennon" trademark in relation to musical and entertainmentservices. As you can see, this is a very important issue for Yoko andthe Lennon family.

Yoko says: "I am really hurt if people thought that I told a youngartist to not use her own name in her performances and had sought tosue her. I did no such thing. I hope this allegation will be cleared."